The Blessing Box

I love linking up with Natalie for
The Blessing Box....

It is truly hard to count all of the blessings that I have received over the years.  I was born into a large loving family.  I was taught right from wrong and to always do my best.  I learned to treat others as I wanted to be treated, and that if I couldn't say something nice, I shouldn't say anything at all....

Chuck and I are trying to bring up our children with those same morals and values....but it's a tough, uphill battle.  Teens are exposed to so many negative influences in their lives.  Classmates, friends, teammates, teachers, coaches, and acquaintances have such an impact on their day to day lives.  Peer pressure (or the devil) can force them to make bad choices, and sometimes those poor choices can affect the rest of their lives. 

I've said this before, but it bears repeating....I believe that everything happens for a reason.  The experiences and happenings of today, along with your upbringing, make you who you'll be tomorrow.  One has to fail, face disappointments, and go through trials and tribulations that test one's strength in order to become wiser and stronger.

I pray every day that our children will grow and become all that they can be.  It is our  hope that when they are adults, they will feel blessed to have grown up in our family.   I hope that they will realize that our earnest intention as parents was to nurture them, encourage them, and teach them what they need to know to become independent and productive. 

A Teenager's Prayer

Author: J. Morse

Each day brings new beginnings
Decisions I must make
I am the only one to choose
The road that I will take

I can choose to take the road of life
That leads to great success
Or travel down the darkened road
That leads to great distress

Please open up my eyes, dear Lord
That I might clearly see
Help me stand for what is right
Bring out the best in me

Help, Lord, to just say "no"
When temptation comes my way
That I might keep my body clean
And fit for life each day

When my teenage years are over
I know that I will see
That life is lived its very best
With you walking next to me.